About me

About me – Lisa-Marie Dutfield

Welcome to L Marie D Counselling - Are you finding your life difficult at this present time?

I can provide you with a safe place to talk. I offer counselling and psychotherapy in a non-judgmental and genuine professional relationship, and I strive to understand your world with warmth, patience and compassion. I am open to everyone; clients come to see me from all walks of life. I practice in central Shaftesbury and Salisbury.

The therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and the client is the "key" for positive growth and change, and if we have a trusting relationship then we can move towards developing your full potential.

You might be going through some kind of emotional distress, whether through a life event(s), or perhaps you are experiencing low self-esteem. You might be having issues such as anxiety or depression and struggling to come to terms with the impact of these from the past or your present. It might be that you would like to change things in your life, a feeling of being ‘stuck’, or unable to ‘let go’ and ‘move on’. Feeling unhappy or uncomfortable and aren't quite sure why. These emotions can become very overpowering to deal with on your own.

I offer a warm non-judgmental and a genuine professional relationship, an environment of acceptance where you will feel safe to talk and explore your experiences and feelings privately and confidentially. My intention is to understand your world with warmth, patience and compassion. To work at your pace in a non-directive approach, this means free from advice and judgments. In turn, this can help you to find your own answers that are right for you.

The counselling I offer, is a space to explore and untangle your difficulties and areas of your life that are troubling you, so that you can become more clear and start to make sense of your life and how you want to move forward. Friends or families maybe supportive, but it is sometimes difficult to confide in the people closest to you.

Together, we aim to bring about empowerment, so that you can make the right choices for yourself rather than being influenced by the outside world. It can be helpful to talk to a professional, who is not personally involved in your life without being judged or told what you should or should not feel about the way you do, because it is all about you, your own experience in your life, in your own unique way.

I work in a way that respects you as an individual; your values and your beliefs.

How I work that can help you with your answers?

As a Person-Centered Counsellor, I strive to be genuine, accepting and understanding within the therapeutic relationship to help with exploring your thoughts, feelings and experiences. I believe that for self-healing to occur, it is through the relationship that is the key, so that you can find the resources and answers to your issues and problems. I believe that every individual has their own internal resources we need for personal growth, and a more fulfilling and satisfying experience of life. I strive to help you to uncover these resources to find your own answers, empowering you to develop self-belief towards a greater feeling of self-worth. The approach I use is known classically as Client Centered Therapy, this was developed by the humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers back in the 1950's.

What to expect in your First Initial session:

Please contact me for an initial discussion over the phone free of charge. This gives you an opportunity to voice any concerns and ask questions. From there we can then both decide if we want to continue the counselling journey together.

If we both choose to go ahead, we will discuss a series of 50 minute meetings usually each week, and we can both find a mutually agreeable time and day. The pattern of attendance can vary dependent on particular needs. This will be part of an agreed contract that I will discuss with you at our first initial appointment. Generally I work on an ‘open ended’ basis, but we work with your goals and time frame that feels right for you.

Training, qualifications & experience

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a Diploma of Higher Education in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level 5 or Foundation Degree Equivalent).

I have worked within a supporting environment for over 18 years, starting in London as an independent supporter helping parents with their children’s challenging behaviour.

I became a volunteer for Victim Support, working gently with victims who have been affected by appalling events in their lives.

Two years’ as a Counsellor for MIND mental health charity.

For three years I worked for Wiltshire Substance Misuse Service (WSMS, Turning Point, Drugs & Alcohol) as a Counsellor.

As a registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP,) I adhere to their ethical framework and code of professional conduct which assures confidentiality, equality and diversity to which I am committed. Any information held is in the strictest confidence according to the Data Protection Act.

I attend supervision on a regular basis to ensure that I am working ethically, and in your best interest. The supervision is my support and you will not be identified in anyway.

I attend regular training to keep my continuing professional development and my current practice up to date.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and fully insured with my own Professional Indemnity Insurance.